Napkin-holder



(No Model.)

B. GOSEWISGH. NAPKIN HOLDER.

No. 591,835. Patented Oct. 19,1897;

Wit 1 0m es llrvrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNST H. GOSEW'ISOH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

NAPKlN-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,835, dated October 19, 1897.

Application filed February 24:, 1896. gerial No. 580,298. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, ERNST H. GOSEWISCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Napkin-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a device by which a table-napkin may be held in front of a person for protecting the clothing.

The device contemplates using the napkin somewhat as a bib is used, only it does not necessitate the placing of the uppermost portion of the napkin directly beneath the chin, but leaves it to the choice of the user to place it as high or as low as may be desired.

The device in its entirety comprises means for etfecting its attachment to the clothing of the person and means for clamping or otherwise holding the napkin; and the invention consists in the features of novelty that are particularlypointed out in the claim hereinafter.

In order that it may be fully understood, I will describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a napkin-holder embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.

The device comprises a base-plate A, havin g a reflexed extension A,to which is hinged a jaw 13. This jaw projects in both directions from its hinge b and at one end it is provided with a downturned portion b,having at its extremity a sharp spur b", which, when the jaw is in normal position, fits in a perforation a in the base-plate. The other end or heel of this jaw affords a convenient means for receiving the pressure by which the jaw is opened, or moved out of contact with the base-plate, it being held normally closed or in contact with the base-plate by a spring 0, which bears at one end against the heel of the jaw and at the other end against the baseplate, its intermediate portion being coiled around the pintle of the hinge b.

To the under side of the base-plate is secured apin D, which is of L shape, the pointed branch being arranged parallel with the baseplate, or practically so. At the end opposite the extension A the base-plate is provided with a second reflexed extension A which proceeds quite its entire length and has its extremity curved toward the baseplate, as shown at A This extension forms a depressible guard for normally protecting the point of the pin D, and is provided with an opening a through which the pin may be made to project when it is desired to insert it in the clothing of the person. This is done by pressing the guard toward the base-plate, to the position indicated by dotted lines, the base-plate and guard being made of spring metal in order to permit this to be done. It will be seen that the depressible guard and pin project in opposite directions and overlap each other. The advantage of this is that it enables the device to be affixed by simply pressing it against the clothing and moving it in the direction in which the point of the pin is presented. If the pin and guard both projected in the same direct-ion,it would probably be necessary to hold the finger over the end of the guard, in order to prevent it from catching in the clothing while the device is being attached. The object of the bent portion A is to prevent the end of the guard from catching in lace or other garments or articles of apparel.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

A napkin-holder having in combination a base-plate having one of its ends refiexed to form a hinge-support, a clamping-j aw hinged thereto, a spring engaging said jaw and holdiug it normally closed, a pin secured to the base-plate on the side opposite the clamp,

and a guard having a slot for receiving said pin, said guard consisting of a flexible reflexed extension of the base-plate, substantially as set forth.

ERNST H. GOSEWISCH.

Witnesses:

L. M. HOPKINS, S.,E. SHARON. 

